AGARTALA, Feb 13 (TIWN): Opposition Congress has welcomed Indian Supreme Court order to the political parties to publish the criminal records of their candidates contesting polls.

Jaiveer Shergill, Spokesperson, AICC told media that this historical verdict will fulfill Rahul Gandhi’s motto of “Decriminalization” of politics.

But in addition Congress said, “Modi ji & BJP again come to the rescue of ‘Bellary Gang’! SC says give reasons for giving tickets to tainted Netas or contempt! Modiji says make tainted Netas not MLA’s alone but Ministers of the ministry, which has been allegedly looted! Will SC issue conempt of PM and Karnataka CM?”

Interestingly, 45 % BJP MPs have Crime against Women. 42% MPs having pending criminal cases and out of 106, 92 BJP MPs have serious crime records. 

Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted with a news report on Anand Singh, accused in mining and forest-related crimes, being appointed as the state minister for environment and forests. In a significant judgement, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed political parties to upload on their respective websites the details of all pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, citing the alarming increase in criminalisation of politics in past four general elections.

A bench headed by Justice R.F. Nariman said the parties would have to clarify on reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases and upload this information on their websites.

The court said political parties will be liable for contempt if they fail to comply with the order.

The top court also observed that political parties will have to submit a compliance report within 72 hours, to the Election Commission, after selecting candidates having pending criminal cases.

The order from the top court came on a contempt plea filed by Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, raising critical issues due to increase in criminalisation of politics.

The plea claimed the directions given by the apex court in its September 2018 verdict, which specified guidelines to disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates, is not being followed in letter and spirit.

The top court also directed that political parties would have to publish this information on their social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter besides publishing this information in one local vernacular and one national newspaper.

The apex court directed the poll body to apprise the court if it were to come across failure in compliance with its directions